How Do You Deal With Food Cravings?

Plaid Pants2 · ‎03-14-2015

I want and need to get my cholesterol numbers down, so I am trying to eat healthier.

For example, yesterday I had a bowl of steel-cut oatmeal, one apple, 23 roasted un-salted almonds, veggie platter, a smoothie made with soy milk, two slices of high fiber toast with vegan margarine.

I am finding myself not feeling satisfied after eating. I am craving the foods that I know are not good for me, such as hash browns, french fries, hamburgers, cheddar cheese, cream cheese, pancakes, real butter, steak.

I really want to get my numbers down, but I also want to eat.

I'm trying to be good and do the right thing, but it's hard.

How do you deal with food cravings when you want to be healthier?

Pook · ‎03-20-2010

I eat healthy a good bit -but only things I like and could never eat such boring food just to eat healthy. If it's not really tasty I won't bother eating it. I also am not strictly eating only healthy and eat good stuff often but not all the time. The foods OP mentioned can be healthied up and need not be avoided. Unless you make a steady diet of them there should be no problem eating them. I make fries in the air fryer and not greasy at all. I always use real butter as the alternatives don't cut it for me. I have gotten my cholesterol down by just limiting things and not cutting them out of my diet completely.

Jaspersmom · ‎06-08-2011

@Plaid Pants2 wrote:
I want and need to get my cholesterol numbers down, so I am trying to eat healthier.

For example, yesterday I had a bowl of steel-cut oatmeal, one apple, 23 roasted un-salted almonds, veggie platter, a smoothie made with soy milk, two slices of high fiber toast with vegan margarine.

I am finding myself not feeling satisfied after eating. I am craving the foods that I know are not good for me, such as hash browns, french fries, hamburgers, cheddar cheese, cream cheese, pancakes, real butter, steak.

I really want to get my numbers down, but I also want to eat.

I'm trying to be good and do the right thing, but it's hard.

How do you deal with food cravings when you want to be healthier?

I am dealing with the same thing. It sounds to me like you aren't eating enough to help you feel full. I eat yogurt in the morning. I eat some soup, mostly lentil, each day. I also eat some whole grain bread with hummus with dinner. Dinner is usually fish or chicken with grains or rice of some kind and vegetables. I try to eat a salad every day. Dressing is olive oil based. For me, the cravings have pretty much disappeared, but only if I feel full.

SandPiper · ‎06-04-2017

I've been there, done that and you're right it ain't easy. I can tell you that it does get easier as time goes on. You have to purge your body from the bad foods. Almost like withdrawals. After awhile you will not crave them anymore. I would drink a lot of water which helped my craving. I ate a lot of fruits. The natural sugars helped my sweet tooth.

I kept myself busy where I didn't have time to think about being hungry. I know I'm not much help, but I do understand. Fight with your willpower, it's worth it in the end. My cholesterol is normal.

Sometimes the strength within you is not a big fiery flame for all to see. It is just a tiny spark that whispers ever so softly "You Got This - Keep Going"

aprilskies · ‎03-09-2010

@Pook wrote:
I eat healthy a good bit -but only things I like and could never eat such boring food just to eat healthy. If it's not really tasty I won't bother eating it. I also am not strictly eating only healthy and eat good stuff often but not all the time. The foods OP mentioned can be healthied up and need not be avoided. Unless you make a steady diet of them there should be no problem eating them. I make fries in the air fryer and not greasy at all. I always use real butter as the alternatives don't cut it for me. I have gotten my cholesterol down by just limiting things and not cutting them out of my diet completely.

I agree, I think limiting how much you eat of the bad stuff instead of eliminating completely is the key. I am struggling with this myself and just recently realized that I need to keep certain things in a limited way because it seems I can be healthy for a few days and then just go overboard. Limiting is hard too though but you have to instill some willpower which I am currently lacking. However, I have started again today with eating better.

i am also trying to eat when I am hungry and stop when I am full. So far, I have not been successful but this is where I would like to end up.

Can I ask, @Pook which airfryer you have? I have been considering one and have been holding off because I want it to be something I will use instead of a moment in time purchase because the last thing I need is another small appliance that I dont use. I currently have the Kalorik from Kohls in my cart. I have been trying to do some research, but with everything I get a bit confused. I suppose it is just buying one and be done with it

aprilskies · ‎03-09-2010

@SandPiper wrote:
I've been there, done that and you're right it ain't easy. I can tell you that it does get easier as time goes on. You have to purge your body from the bad foods. Almost like withdrawals. After awhile you will not crave them anymore. I would drink a lot of water which helped my craving. I ate a lot of fruits. The natural sugars helped my sweet tooth.

I kept myself busy where I didn't have time to think about being hungry. I know I'm not much help, but I do understand. Fight with your willpower, it's worth it in the end. My cholesterol is normal.

I agree, I do think fighting the craving and keeping busy are key as well. Probably moreso than anything. Stopping bad habits can be hard if you dont replace them with something.

Plaid Pants2 · ‎03-14-2015

I bought a book titled "Cholesterol Down: 10 Simple Steps to Lower Your Cholesterol in 4 Weeks - Without Prescription Drugs" by Janet Bond Brill, Ph.D., R.D., LDN

In it, she recommends in addition to oatmeal, soy, almonds, beans, to also eat one clove of garlic daily, take Metamucil, apples, just to name a few.

It's a struggle.

CinNC · ‎10-05-2012

I have the same issue. Decided last year that I would make one change - stop eating some foods/beverages that I binged on. As of Jan, stopped drinking diet soda - I was a long time diet cola drinker and at the max drank 2 six packs plus one 2 liter a week. Just focused on that one thing. Still have a lot of caffeine but very little artificial sweeteners and no sodas at all. It's the worst craving still.

In June, I decided to stop eating potato chips. So I've switched to popcorn and pretzels but am now realizing I need to lower the sodium content of my "treats".

It will be interesting to see what my cholesteral and AIC will be like in a few months. I still have issues w/cheese and chocolate. Not sure when I'll be able to tackle those. One thing at a time

Carmie · ‎10-25-2010

If what you posted was your food for one day, I can see why you're still hungry. That diet lacks serious protein.

You should be eating lean protein at every meal. You will cut out the cravings if you eat more balanced meals. When you eat carbs without protein, you just crave more carbs.

When I want something and feel I have had enough for the day, I drink tea. I have many flavors to choose from. I drink cranberry tea when I have cravings, it satisfies my sweet tooth.

151949 · ‎03-09-2010

Everyone is different but - IMO - and I speak for myself only - One of the great joys God gave us in life is great tasting and satisfying food. I would rather enjoy my life while I have it, than to never feel satisfied by what I'm eating. In fact - portion control is important but I don't think depravation is likely to work over the long run. I don't have a fantasy that I want to live forever. I'd rather live well than live long.I have no desire to be a senile old woman in a nursing home.